Stiliyan Petrov has been hugely impressed with Aston Villa Football Club pal Stewart Downing.

The summer signing from Middlesbrough had to overcome an injury before making his mark for the Midlands outfit, but Petrov believes he is certainly doing that now.

“You need to prove yourself in every single game,” he told AVTV. “This boy has been doing it, and he’s doing it great. He’s been sensational for the club.”

Downing now has a real chance of making the England squad for the World Cup Finals, where he could be joined by a number of team-mates including Ashley Young and James Milner.

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